Hard-working Scottish families are facing exclusion from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as ticket prices skyrocket to unprecedented levels, creating a significant barrier for local spectators.
Staggering Ticket Costs Revealed
Official pricing listed on the Glasgow 2026 website shows tickets beginning at £12 for non-medal events but escalating dramatically for premium competitions. Adult tickets for sought-after events like swimming and athletics command a staggering £150 each, while children and senior tickets are priced at £113.
The financial impact on families is severe. A typical family of four with two adults and two children would need to spend £526 for just one medal event. Other popular sports aren't far behind, with boxing and artistic gymnastics tickets costing £125 per person, basketball at £85, and judo at £50.
Families Voice Their Disappointment
Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, Britain's largest online parenting network, expressed widespread concern among parents. "Parents on Mumsnet have been taken aback by the high-ticket prices for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, especially when you consider the cost of taking the whole family," she said.
"It's understandable that many families on a budget just can't justify spending that much but it's a shame that children - particularly those living locally - might miss out on the chance to experience it firsthand because of the cost."
Neil White, a 41-year-old father of three from Perthshire, represents countless families affected by the pricing strategy. He had hoped to take his wife and three children to the Games given their enthusiasm for gymnastics and athletics but finds himself simply "priced out."
"We are a normal, middle-class family and we just can't afford to spend five or six hundred pounds for a family of us to go to the Games," Mr White lamented. "We are all quite disappointed - but just can't justify the cost of paying that much for tickets. I ended up saying to my wife, 'we'll just watch the Games on TV.'"
Seeking Affordable Alternatives
The White family's solution highlights the pricing disparity. Instead of attending the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, they plan to travel to Birmingham for the European Athletics Championships in August 2025, where tickets for all five family members total approximately £120.
"Kids tickets were a notable difference from the Commonwealth Games - junior tickets for my teenagers were only £5," Mr White noted. "That was what I was expecting the price range of Commonwealth Games tickets to be. Even though we need accommodation for Birmingham, it will ultimately be cheaper for us to travel there than stay in Glasgow."
The current pricing represents a dramatic shift from the 2014 Glasgow Games, where organisers implemented a 'Games for Everyone' strategy ensuring two-thirds of tickets were £25 or less. Approximately 500,000 tickets have been released for the event scheduled for next summer.
Political and Organisational Response
The Scottish Conservatives have voiced strong criticism of the pricing structure. Tory MSP for Glasgow, Annie Wells, stated: "Hard-pressed Scots are already feeling the pinch thanks to high bills under the SNP and Labour, so won't want to have to break the bank for Commonwealth Games tickets."
She added: "The games should be something everyone in Glasgow can afford to enjoy but that is being made even harder by Scotland's two high-tax governments."
Despite the backlash, Glasgow 2026 has defended its approach. Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, said: "The response we have seen from fans has been phenomenal with tens of thousands purchasing tickets across all categories and for all sports."
"In developing our ticketing plan, it was important that the process was fair and accessible. We carried out a comprehensive review and comparison process of other events in Glasgow, Scotland and further afield and we are confident that our ticket prices and quantities available in all categories, are in line with other similar events."
As the debate continues, many Scottish families face the difficult choice between experiencing a major sporting event in their home country and managing household budgets during an ongoing cost of living crisis.
